UI for embedded device connected to computer via com port.
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Hi, I need to develop an GUI interface for my project. Where in my embedded device(Ambiance analyzing robot, have on-board micro-controller) can be connected to PC via COM port. As of now I have a set of commands developed to communicate with micro-controller, and I use Hyper-terminal to send the commands to the micro-controller via COM port, and receive back the outputs on Hyper-terminal in HEX format. I want to develop a user interface where user can set the parameters and click a button to generate the command and send it to COM port, and on receiving data back from COM port displays it on separate section of the screen store it in a file. I have Visual Studio Team Suite 2008, 1 year evaluation version and it got all kind of tools in it, Visual basic, Visual C++, MFC, WPF, WinForm, Win32, and I am confused what to do, which is the right tool to deliver fast and with at least the basic features. I have very minimal experience of building GUI in Visual Studio 6 Visual C++ using MFC in past (precisely 4yrs back, one application), i don't know visual basics, have little knowledge of C#. I do not want my application to be behind in technologies, and wnat to develop in latest technologies. Can you help me find the best combination to do this development, like Visual C++ with MFC, Visual Basic, Visual C++ with Win 32, or CLR Windows forms application etc. Thanks for all your help and patients. Karmendra Suthar
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Hi, I need to develop an GUI interface for my project. Where in my embedded device(Ambiance analyzing robot, have on-board micro-controller) can be connected to PC via COM port. As of now I have a set of commands developed to communicate with micro-controller, and I use Hyper-terminal to send the commands to the micro-controller via COM port, and receive back the outputs on Hyper-terminal in HEX format. I want to develop a user interface where user can set the parameters and click a button to generate the command and send it to COM port, and on receiving data back from COM port displays it on separate section of the screen store it in a file. I have Visual Studio Team Suite 2008, 1 year evaluation version and it got all kind of tools in it, Visual basic, Visual C++, MFC, WPF, WinForm, Win32, and I am confused what to do, which is the right tool to deliver fast and with at least the basic features. I have very minimal experience of building GUI in Visual Studio 6 Visual C++ using MFC in past (precisely 4yrs back, one application), i don't know visual basics, have little knowledge of C#. I do not want my application to be behind in technologies, and wnat to develop in latest technologies. Can you help me find the best combination to do this development, like Visual C++ with MFC, Visual Basic, Visual C++ with Win 32, or CLR Windows forms application etc. Thanks for all your help and patients. Karmendra Suthar
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Karmendra, If you want to use the latest technologies then I would use C# and .NET. If you go that route, expect a long learning curve. I am personally partial to C++ with MFC. Bob
Bob, Thanks for your reply, I even talked with some friends of mine they said Windows Form Application using C# would be easy to learn and implement. What in your opinion would be any pros or cons of using this combination? Regards, Karmendra
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Bob, Thanks for your reply, I even talked with some friends of mine they said Windows Form Application using C# would be easy to learn and implement. What in your opinion would be any pros or cons of using this combination? Regards, Karmendra
Karmenda, I do not know Window Form Applications well enough to give you a meaningfully answer about how hard or easy it is to use. My feeling is that learning C# and .Net at the same time is going to be a lot of work. At least, it would be a lot of work for me. However, it is the latest technology and therefore it could be the right solution for you. By the way, using .NET and C++ is kind of a kludge and I would not recommend it. I am wondering, what is your estimate of the time for you to do this project. I think the more time you have the better off you are by learning the C# and the Windows Form Application. Bob